El Valle has a museum, mud baths, hiking and a small zoo in the village nestled in the caldera of an extinct volcano that exploded 5 million years ago. The scenery is quite unique -- a steep valley surrounded by jagged peaks and filled with flowers, streams and verdant forests. For Panamanians, this is a "secret getaway."

El Valle is famous for its bird wathing and orchids. As the valley floor is large and flat, it is very enjoyable to bicycle in the 10 square kilometer valley.

On Sundays, El Valle's bustling "Sunday Market" fills with artisans who come down to town from the surrounding mountains to sell their goods. The El Valle Sunday Market is considered one of the best supplied in the region. This will be an excellent opportunity to buy local handicraft directly from the "manufacturer." Prices are usually negotiable. There are ceramics, bateas (wooden trays), woven baskets, hats, carved and painted totumas (cups made from squash) and trinkets made from acorn, as well as vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, flowers, and orchids.

El Valle is about 40 minutes from the ocean, in which you can swim year round. Most of the many Americans live and mingle with the local community and are considered part of the community. El Valle is different from other communities in that it represents a laid back, small, well planned, tranquil community made up of friendly locals, elite affluent old established families that have made El Valle their weekend and vacation residence, middle class residents, American & other foreigners all living and socializing and enjoying the most beautiful dormant inhabited volcanic crater in the Americas.

Car exchange possible. Bicycles available. Supermarket 1 km away.

I volunteer as an English teacher for a convent. I also act as a host for couchsurfers.com and hospitalityclub.org. If would like to check what others have said about me you can register at these sites, which is free, and look for me under El Valle de Anton.

Will consider any location but the US, as when I go there I stay with family.

More photos can be seen at: http://www.vacationrentals.com /vacation-rentals/17329.html

Bes t wishes, Dave